Infant&#39;s folding chair



May 23, 1950 CQHEN 2,508,905

INFANT S FOLDING CHAIR Filed Feb. 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q Q Q) \g TM. COHEN INFANT May 23, 1950 S FOLDING CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb.19, 1948 0 n I I I I I I n w Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE- INFANTS FOLDING CHAIR Myer (iohem Beverly, Mass. v

Application February 19, 1948, Serial No. 9,450

'1 Claims. (Cl. 155139) The object of the present invention is to pro--vide a folding chair for babies, which can be supported and moved over afloor or other smooth, level surface, or partially folded and applied tothe seat of a motor vehicle for holding an infant safely thereon, orfurther folded into small compass for stowage. This object has beenrealized in a practical folding chair construction of which oneembodiment is described in the following specification with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a folding chair embodying this invention fullyextended in condition for use when supported on a floor;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the chair folded into minimum compass forstowage;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the folded chair as seen from the right ofFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the chair part1 collapsed and mounted foruse in connection with one of the seats of a motor vehicle;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the chair as shown in Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views taken on lines 6-6 and |--'l,respectively, of Fig. 4 and showing details of construction on a largerscale.

Like reference characters designate the same parts wherever they occurin all the figures.

The fundamental part of the chair structure v 2 p p when the frameworkis folded and opened out. It may be noted that the leg e'crosses leg I)at the outer side of the latter.

Disconnectible braces or locks are provided to hold the leg extensionsin alinement with the respective upper leg sections when in the extendedcondition shown in Fig. 1. That associated with the leg 17 is a shortflat bar i connected at one end to the leg section bby a pivot i onwhich a clamping wing nut 70 is mounted, and having a hook at its otherend disposed to embrace the shank of a stud I mounted on the extensionleg section b, and being displaceable from engagement with the stud. Anidentical brace or lock is similarly associated with each of the otherlegs. This is one of several various means that can be used for the samepurpose and is to be considered here as genericallytypical of all suchoperative means.

20 Corresponding legs m and n, having similar comprises a four sidedopen frame a and legs piv- In the present illustration it hingedextensions, are mounted and connected in symmetrical relation with theopposite side member a of the frame a. Cross bar h has an end extension71. which projects into the channel of the leg 11. and is adapted toslide therein.

It may be noted that the leg extension I) and the hinged extension m ofthe corresponding leg at the other side are made of a. single channelbar bent to form the parallel leg portions b and m, and a cross bar 0.Casters p and q are secured to the side of the cross bar 0 which comesunderneath when the legs are extended. The

is made of a single metal bar of angle bar sec-" tion, bent to theprescribed outline and dimensions with meeting ends which are joinedtogether by welding or in any other suitable way.

There are four legs, two at each side, each composed of an upper sectionand a hinged lower section. One leg 17, having a lower section bconnected to it by a hinge c, is pivoted to the side member a of frame aby a pivot 12. A second leg e at the same side of the chair, having anextension e coupled by a hinge f crosses the leg band is connected to itby a pivot pin g. Both legs are of channel bar stock arranged with theirchannels facing the frame a. The latter frame has a pivotal and slidingengagement with the,

lower ends of the leg extensions 6 and n are see cured to a cross bar 8,the ends of which extend beyond these legs and carry casters -t and u.

Another cross bar 12 extends across between the legs c and n and issecured thereto at a height above the pivot axis 9 suitable forsupporting the frame a, when extended, in a nearly horizontal position,but with a slight rearward and downward slant. This frame projectsrearwardly between the legs e and m whenso extended, and its cross bar hrests onthe cross bar 11. A hook w extends rearwardly from the cross bar1;, and is swiveled thereto so that it can admit, and overlap a crossbar a: secured to the leg extensions e' and n' at the forward sidethereof and at adistance below the hinge axis I equal. to theheight ofhOOk-1D above that axis. The hook is thus enabled to secure the legextensions when foldedup against the upper leg sections, as shown inFig. 2 and also inFig. The seat portion of the chair is a bag-likeformation In made of textile fabric, havinga rectangular bottom, four'sides, and a stiffening frame H, (Fig. at the upper edge of the baformation to which the fabric forming the sides of the bag is secured.Spaces for the infants legs are provided in the forward side wall of thebag. The marginal stiffening frame II is secured by rivets I2 to arms l3and I4 (Fig. 5), which are connected at their rear ends by hinges l5 andI6 to the side members of the frame a. These last .namedarms areconnected .at their fO1'W8.-I'1":8Ild$ :by'aa'cross piece: I'I. A- trayI8 for supporting food or playthings is mounted on the arms I3, I4 andcross piece I'I.

The structure constituted by said arms and cross piece is arranged torest on the'upper side of the frame a when the latter is in theapproxi--mately horizontal, or extended, position shown in Fig. 1; the hinges I5and ifiibeingdisposediappropriately for this purpose and also to,permitsthe forward part of the seat support to swing away leg sectionse and n. The braces i of the hinged leg extensions are released, andthese extensions are turned about their pivots f and cuntil they lieclose against the upper leg sections and one an- 5 other. Such foldingof the extensions permits the upper leg sections and the base frame a tobe brought into the same plane. The hinged extensions are then locked inthe folded position by thehook w. which is broughtpver thecross bar :a10 :andtu-rned down in rear thereof. The :seat supporting frame I3, I4,11 is then held in an outstanding position by the tie links 28 whichhave notches 33 in their under side near the rear ex- ;tremitywhich areplaced over the tongues h and 15 h and are. interlocked with the upperedges thereof,'(Figs." l, 5 and 6). The hook links 29 and 30-are-swung-about their swivel positions so as to extend to the rear.

*Theupper sections of legs e and n and the hooks from t forward part f tunder frame o 29 and are designedxwith relation to the height leafof-each of the hinges is provided with-a lug -I-Q-whichcxteridg besidethe'inner'surface ofa side member of the frame -as shown-bydotted linesHn F-igs. 1 and 4, and is riveted to -such side member.

A'back'ishinged to'theseat frame. Such back is constituted by two siderails 2!) and *2 I, a cross "rail ZL-and a breadth offabric 23 loopedaround tthe' cross: rail 22=and extending downward to conobstandardautomobileseat backs such. that the :hooks extend overthetop and someway "down the reasside of suchaaseat. back when the folded :legs.are;-placed tozrest onthe seat cushion with ithe1 folded extensions;thereof between I the upper leg-sectionsand the=seat back. In Fig. 4 theback of aconventional;automobile seat is shown at 34eand'the:seatecushion attfi. Seats of all makes .-and;-nearly=allstylesof commercial automobiles nection with the fabric which 'forms'the rearwall so A h nearly the samedimensions as-to the heieht df 'theseatbag-Ifl. The side r-ails are flat' bars pivoted at theirlewer --endsto rear extensions of the marginstiffener frame' II, and bent overtoward one another at their upperends, as into which the back risesabove the-seat cushion; and the rear seats of most cars;have'backs whichare-capable. ofgheing embraced bythe" hook links lofmyrchair. iThusithechair, made as here shown inm t trgn i gmq pivot n 5 and described,:whenpartiallyrfolded in-the mantthe side "rail fll isinfdioatecl-at t tin' lig. 1. The crossraifzz is a similar flatbar, the ends of which arebentovento' lie against the inner faces of the rails 20 and zi beneat.lheturne'd over ends thereofsand-secured thereto bv rivetsZ-S. Jointedlinks 26 -arid '21 are connected *hetween the side rails -cf -the'baokandthe-side-armsl-a and I4-of ithe seat suppert to hold'the'back inanearly upi=ight position -when the ob air is extended out. as inFigiLa-ndtopei'mit thebackbeing brought nearlyparallel to theseatsupporting'frame, as =shown' by'FigIZ.

-Tie'links--28- are pivoted to the sidea-rms' I3. and I5- (Sf-theseat-supporting "frame. and tie hooks 29 aud t!!! are connected byswivel pivots -3I and 32t0 the uoner-extreniitiesof thelegs e-and' n.whichextend unwardh well-above the position of theopen frame-ya.when"the chair is extended-as *showh inFig.-'1. The-pur ose of these-tielinks and hook links will be nresentlvfiescribed.

-W-henthe chair is fully unfolde'dand extended. theoastersat thefootextremities of its legs rest on-the floor. the annu ar supporting framea "is-substantiallyhor zontal, being simported at its forward partby'thepivotal connection with the "legband; the corresponding leg'at the otherside. 'and therear partof theframe is supported by 'the cross bar '0.*The seat supporting frame I 3, l 1'! then rests on the annular frame aand the back rest .is held in an a roximately upri ht. ,but""slightly'ream ardly tilting, position .hy the confnecte'd links 25andfll'.

"Inorder toe-dam he. chairifornsevwith the seat of anautomohile'the legsare turned about their coni'iectirug: pivots {.1 until. theirupper sec-.tions. are as nearly, in .the, same plane ,as. permfittedby the crossbars oand satjtheir footends. As .the legs, .,are;being brought into,that relation,

-;the tongue projections h'aand .h oftheannularframe aslide upwardin'the channels of the upper aner represented bybFigsfll-andfi, canbeplaced and supported OnIhGfCllShiOIl of any such seatsandcoupledztothet-back by -means of the hook links, being therebystablysupportedand securely 0 ganchored against tipping *forward ora-sidewise.

Thereby a safe and: secure seat is provided for an infant too.young--and-helpless to beseated and deft iunsupporteddirectly on theautomobile. seat.

To fold the chair further into minimum comzzpassgthe hook? linksarerturned: about their swivel "pivots-into thesame plane-with the legs,as shown by Fig.3, the tierlinks 28- are unhooked from the ;;tongue:h',h ,.1and:the.-seat frame allowed to swing downward around the hingesI 5 and I 5, as

. 50 :shown in Figs: Zand 3. Theaback rest is also per- --mitte.d, by:reason :of *the :articulation between :linkszzfi and 21; to-swingdownward-as shown.

ZItcNViH be appreciated from; the foregoing descriptionathatflrhave-provided a double purpose 5 =chair which canahequickly put'incondition either -for restingon a-fioor-orconnection with a vehicle-seat,-or'folded into compact conditionfor stow- -age; and thatconversion from any one of these conditions-to either of the other twocan 'be ac- -complished with the=-utmost-facility and very quickly."When-in the-folded condition, either the-links 29 and-3il'orthe-annular frame a can be used as a handle for carrying the chair, and-the"turned-up leg extensions are held-securely 6 by-the hookwfromdropping, while gravity nor- -mallyholds-the seat and back rest inthe stable pendent position. When extended into either position for;holding an'infant, thechair is rigid and provides a safe and-securesupport for the 7 1-infant.

"What; I claim is: 1. Afolding chair comprising abase frame of s-e rm ohavine. sub tan ll par lele posite sides, a pair of legsflisposed.adjacent to each of said opposite sides, one of each pair of legs beingpivoted to the adjacent side and the other leg of each pair having apivotal and sliding connection with the same side of the frame at adistance from the pivot, the legs of each pair being pivoted together ata distance from the first named pivot connection with the frame forswinging movement between a position in which the legs are substantiallyin the same plane and another position in which they are crossed at awide angle, said frame being slidable along the legs with which it is inpivotal and sliding connection into substantially the same plane withsaid legs, a seat-supporting frame mounted on the base frame, being inhinged connection therewith on an axis located between the points ofengagement of the base frame with the respective legs, for relativeswinging displacement between a position parallel to and resting on thebase frame and a position extending away from the base frame, tie meansbetween the seatsupporting frame and the base frame for holding theseat-supporting frame in the last mentioned position, and a seat held bysaid seat-supporting frame.

2. A folding chair comprising a base frame of open formation havingsubstantially parallel opposite sides, a pair of legs disposed adjacentto each of said opposite sides, one of each pair of legs being pivotedto the adjacent side and the other having a pivotal and slidingconnection with the same side of the frame at a distance from the pivot,the legs of each pair being pivoted together at a distance from thefirst named pivot connection with the frame for swinging movementbetween a position in which the legs are substantially in the same planeand another position in which they are crossed at a wide angle, the baseframe being movable, by virtue of its pivotal and sliding connectionwith the legs into substantially the same plane therewith when the legsare in collapsed position, and into a relation making large angles withboth legs when the legs are spread apart, the legs with which said framehas sliding connection being provided with means for supporting theframe when in the spread apart position, a seat-supporting frame hingedto the base frame at a point near the location of said pivotal andsliding connection whereby it can swing away from and toward the baseframe, and being constructed to bear on the base frame in supportedrelation thereto, tie links disposed for interconnection with theseat-supporting frame and the base frame to hold the seat-supportingframe at a prescribed angle to the base frame, and a seat held by theseat-supporting frame.

3. A folding seat according to claim 2, in which tie hooks are connectedwith the legs which have the sliding connection with the base frame andare adapted to be engaged with the back of an automobile seat when thelegs are brought into collapsed position and are placed on the bodysupporting cushion of such a seat.

4. A folding chair as set forth in claim 1, in which each of the legs isprovided with an extension in hinged connection at a point below thepivot by which the legs are connected together, said extensions beingfoldable about their hinge connection into positions beside the legs towhich respectively they are hinged.

5. A folding chair as set forth in claim 2, in which each of the legs isprovided with an extension in hinged connection at a point below thepivot by which the legs are connected together, said extensions beingfoldable about their hinge connection into positions beside the legs towhich respectively they are hinged.

6. A folding chair having a base frame, a pair of legs at each side ofthe frame pivoted together and having pivotal and sliding connectionwith the base frame for folding into substantially one plane andextension for use, a seat holding frame pivoted to the base frame to besupported thereby when the chair is extended for use and being rotatableabout its hinge connection to a position projecting away from the baseframe, detachable tie links disposed for holding the seat frame atsubstantially right angles to the base frame, a seat of bag formationsecured to the seat-supporting frame and suspended therefrom, and hooklinks connected with one leg of each pair adapted to be placed over theback of a vehicle seat when the folded chair structure is located at theforward side of such seat back.

7. The folding chair combination set forth in 7 claim 6, in which eachleg is provided with a hinged lower section below the pivot whichconnects the legs of either pair together, and with releasable means forholding such extension in rigid alinement with the rest of the leg, saidhinged sections being foldable into positions close beside the legs ofwhich they respectively form a part.

MYER COHEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 792,954 Bagnol Nov. 7, 19351,149,545 Sherry Aug. 10, 1915 1,800,107 Schmitt Apr. 7, 1931 1,910,736Arthur May 23, 1933 1,949,492 Schermerhorn Mar. 6, 1934 2,272,307Merrill Feb. 10, 1942 2,398,693 Bureau Apr. 16, 1946

